England: Juan Mata inspired Manchester United to a 4-0 victory at Newcastle on Saturday, securing a 10th away win in the Premier League that belies the champions' poor home form.
The 25-year-old Spaniard, who joined United from Chelsea in January, scored twice, including directly from a free kick, to take his tally to three goals in his last two games.
Showing that United can cope without injured striker Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie, Javier Hernandez and substitute Adnan Januzaj added further goals in the second half to hand Newcastle a fourth loss in five league games.
David Moyes' United moved up to sixth place, while Newcastle stayed ninth.
In another rmatch, Jason Puncheon scored twice as Crystal Palace won a key relegation battle by beating Cardiff 3-0.
Former Cardiff player Joe Ledley also scored in between Puncheon's double to leave Cardiff in 19th place, six points from safety with just five games to play. Palace climbed to 14th, seven points ahead of 18th-place Fulham and with a game in hand.
It was Palace's second successive victory after beating title-chasing Chelsea last weekend and continued the club's revival under manager Tony Pulis.
Ledley set up Puncheon for the opening goal in the 31st minute and then netted the second from close range in the 71st. Puncheon completed the victory in the 88th.
Hull moved even closer to ensuring their Premier League survival with a 1-0 win against Swansea on Saturday following George Boyd's first-half header.
Swansea might have equalised but for a lack of cutting edge as the hosts appeared to be casting their minds ahead to next weekend's FA Cup semifinal against League One side Sheffield United at Wembley.
Hull scored after 39 minutes, thanks to Liam Rosenior's superb cross from the right. His delivery to the back post was set up for midfielder Boyd to direct his header back across Swansea goalkeeper Michel Vorm.
Now 12th, Hull's 10th league win of the season lifted the club to 36 points - nine points from the relegation zone.
Comments
0 comment